# matching

/ˈmætʃɪŋ/ (US) · /mˈætʃɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/matching
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. identical or similar

adjective · CEFR A2

having the same color, pattern, or style as something else.

For teachers: having an identical or very similar appearance, typically in terms of color, pattern, or design.

- The twins were wearing matching blue sweaters for the family photo.
- The interior designer selected matching curtains and cushions to create a sense of visual harmony throughout the living room.

### 2. forming a pair

adjective · CEFR B1

designed to be used together as a set.

For teachers: constituting a complementary part of a pair or a set.

- I can't find the matching sock for this one anywhere.
- The antique dealer confirmed that the matching chair was currently held in a private collection in Europe.

### 3. the act of pairing

noun · CEFR B2

the process of putting two things together because they are similar or belong together.

For teachers: the process or act of finding a suitable partner or equivalent for something.

- The matching of students with local mentors has been very successful.
- The algorithm handles the matching of organ donors to recipients based on a complex set of medical criteria.

### 4. present action of match

verb · CEFR B1

the -ing form of the verb 'match', used when two things are equal or go well together.

For teachers: the present participle of 'match', used in continuous tenses to describe the act of being equal or finding a counterpart.

- She is matching the paint colors to the fabric of the sofa.
- By matching the fingerprints found at the scene to the database, the investigators were able to identify a suspect within hours.

## Examples

- She is matching her blue shoes with a blue bag.
- The software works by matching the fingerprints found at the scene with those in the national database.
- The recruitment agency focuses on matching candidates' specific technical skill sets with the long-term strategic goals of their corporate clients to ensure a higher retention rate.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.